United Airlines Offers iPod Docking Stations On Planes

United has announced this morning that from this evening, the airline will offer passengers personalized in-flight entertainment systems.

United is the first U.S. carrier to offer iPod and iPhone connectivity to its in-flight entertainment system, allowing customers to pick and choose the content displayed on the 15.4-inch screen in front of them and charging their device the entire time.

The first plane with iPod and iPhone connectivity is scheduled to depart at 5:40 p.m. from Washington, D.C. to Zurich. The kitted aircraft will fly primarily on trans-Atlantic routes and United says the airline’s entire fleet of international, widebody aircraft will be reconfigured over the next two years with the iPod/iPhone connectivity in addition to lie-flat seats and on-demand entertainment.

“The iPod and iPhone have become essential for millions of travelers around the world,” said Greg Joswiak, Apple’s vice president of iPod & iPhone Product Marketing. “We think United customers are going to love being able to listen or watch personal music and video content on their iPod or iPhone via the in-flight entertainment system, and we can’t wait for United to roll this out to their fleet."

While this seems like awesome news, it’s worth noting that the service is only available for business class and first class passengers. So us coach folk will have to make do with charging our iPods via our laptops and the constant up hill battle to figure out a way of propping up an iPod so you can watch movies a little more comfortably.